U.S. Men’s National Team

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Coaching

Jurgen Klinsmann: The Anti-Rick Perry (R-TX)

by Miriti Murungi

If you happened to miss the Republican Primary debate two nights ago, you’ll be forgiven, especially if you were watching the epic New England Revolution-Philadelphia Union 4-4 extravaganza.

One of the special moments during the GOP debate centered around a Governor Rick Perry (R -TX) sermon on his state’s death penalty proficiency and his own sensitivity.

When Gov. Perry was asked by NBC anchor Brian Williams to defend his state’s record of executing 234 inmates, and specifically whether he lost any sleep over the possibility of executing innocent people, Perry said: (more…)

Coaching | The Game
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Daily Banter – 8.17.2011

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

L.E. Eisenmenger recently hooked up with new U.S. Men’s National Team fitness and strength coach Darcy Norman to discuss her past work with new coach Jurgen Klinsmann and her new role with the U.S. team. It’s an interesting read that sheds some light on Klinsmann, her training philosophy, chicken, and, of course, skiing and helicopters.

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Musings

Jurgen’s Corner: Analyzing the Coach’s First Day, Unnecessarily Reading Between the Lines

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

About week ago, we learned that Bob Bradley, the U.S. coach since 2006, was being unceremoniously retired from his position by USSF President Sunil Gulati. Apparently lots of people on Facebook “liked” that. The fact that Bradley was being fired was expertly hidden by the Federation. No one had the scoop. But the shock didn’t last long. Soon thereafter, speculation was rife about who would be the next leader of a men’s national team that has been growing in popularity and profile over the last few cycles.

Enter the guy who everyone thought would be the guy. Jurgen Klinsmann. He’s German. (more…)

Musings | Pub Talk
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Daily Banter – 3.25.2011

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

The United States (all of them, collectively) will be taking on Argentina tomorrow (Saturday, March 26) at 7pm at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. Yep, that Argentina. Tickets are still available for purchase through ussoccer.com. It’s not too late. But if you can’t attend, at least you’ll be able to attend on ESPN2 and Univision. [Insert new Nike motto all over.]

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Daily Banter – 2.2.2011

by Miriti Murungi

D.C. United announced yesterday that U.S. national team and Sochaux forward Charlie Davies will be joining the team for a week long evaluation period. If things go well, Davies will be joining United on a 12-month loan. A good piece of news for Davies and, at minimum, an exciting prospect for United fans. While there are many warm and cuddly things to say about the proposed (more…)

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Team Talk

Italia 1990: It’s Gut Czech Time For the Americans

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

June 10, 1990 — Control your emotions. I know national anthems can be moving, but there’s a game to be played. In fact, there are three games to play. If you can’t handle these early moments, maybe this isn’t for you. If you find this stressful, you should be concerned because it will take a herculean effort for you to make it through the Backstreet Boys, the internet and financial armageddon, three things that I’m just guessing are on the horizon. What’s the internet you ask? I’m not sure. It’s 1990.

I’m busy typing this on my brand new Macintosh IIci (which will only set you back about $8700). I’ll probably use this piece of technological greatness to process (more…)

Team Talk | The Game
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Daily Banter – 10.11.2010

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Let the immigration debate continue. Apparently the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. depends on how good you are at soccer. Thankfully for Jermaine Jones, a player who has spent his career developing in Germany, he’s pretty good. This weekend we finally saw Jones make his U.S. debut in the U.S. friendly against Poland. If he had struggled, surely (more…)

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The Future

I Want Debates

by Miriti Murungi

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, the candidates, Bob Bradley and Coachy McCoacherson.”

(Applause.)

Imagine a coaching selection process where prospective coaches are required to engage in a public debate over their ideas. Imagine coaches having to publicly assess the state of the union and submit a vision for moving forward. Not only would it be great theater, said move would set off a flurry of intelligent, and much needed, debate based on concrete ideas. (more…)

The Future | The Game
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Coaching

The Myth of the Meaningless Friendly

by Miriti Murungi

A funny thing happens during international friendlies, particualrly when a team loses.

Invariably, cries that “this game doesn’t matter” eminate from supporters, conveying a fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose of international friendlies. In many ways, it’s self-delusion at its finest. It’s like a jaded boyfriend saying, “I didn’t like her anyway,” after a girlfriend breaks up with him. These are defense mechanisms signifying denial and/or hurt, which is why you rarely hear this refrain after an emphatic victory.

I won’t mince words. Friendlies matter. Sure, the final result is not the penultimate measure of mattering. However, player performances and how players combine certainly matter given the limited assessment opportunities on the international calender prior to the games that really count. (more…)

Coaching | The Game
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Daily Banter – 9.21.2010

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Ah, the Klinsmann mess. For those of you who haven’t been following the saga, former German national team coach was recently interviewed about his conversations with the U.S. Soccer Federation about the men’s national team job. Klinsmann confirmed what many had already suspected; namely that he was engaged (more…)

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secondfig: Dalglish; “For me the most important person, who is under the greater spotlight is Luis… The...
John _in_VA: Miriti, I loved your article. You are an excellent writer. Many US soccer fans wonder how a country as...
Mark Stevens: It’ would be prudent to note that the translation of “calcio e’ un...
Bob: An excellent, thoughful piece. As referenced, it is fair to both want increased Hispanic (and African American)...
Jen: Thank you so much for the answer. We are near Pittsburgh, and he does play on a travel team and cup team, which...
dreamingpixel: “Debussy – Claire de Lune”.. amazing work

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